Gemba Hosts Efficiency Software Online

Gemba Solutions has developed an online, hosted version of its Gain4 Efficiency software. Along with all the features that Gain4 Efficiency offers, Gain4 Efficiency Online is provided on a 'software as a service' basis, enabling companies to rent the software on a monthly basis. The software is accessed and data is entered online via a web browser, so no additional IT equipment is needed.

Data entry is straightforward and with a multitude of standard reports, KPI measurement and reporting is quick and easy, plus the system can be viewed and used from any location. According to Gemba, one customer who recently upgraded from Excel to Gain4 Online has reported a saving of 86 per cent in time spent entering data and preparing reports.

Laser Cutting Provides Better Gas Flow

In several development steps with cutting trials, Precitec has increased the flow rate through the cutting nozzle while keeping the cutting gas pressure constant. The KT B CON ceramic part and the nozzles now have no 'hard edges' and have a conical geometry. Thus, the cutting gas pressure can be reduced while giving the same cutting edge quality and the input pressure directly on the processing head can be reduced.

The company said that field tests with the new design have also shown an increased working range for the focal position. Dirt on the focussing lens and the associated focus shift can be detected with the larger process window and increase the operating life of the optics. With CO2 cutting heads without a protective window in particular, this leads to cost advantages.

Three-Phase Soft-Starter Replaces Star-Delta

Carlo Gavazzi has introduced a three-phase motor soft-starter with electronic motor overload protection, which can replace Star-Delta (Wye-Delta) systems with a single, compact module. The RSHL Smart provides complete motor starting functionality in a 45mm-wide unit that can be DIN-rail mounted in limited-space enclosures. Reliability and longevity are guaranteed by an all-electronic low power consumption design and integrated heat sink.

Improved start/stop performance, higher number of start cycles, electronic motor protection, monitoring and diagnostics make the RSHL Smart soft-starter an all-in-one system. Available in 220, 480 and 600V AC versions, it controls and protects three-phase induction motors rated up to 11kW, such as those used in pumps, compressors, fans, hydraulic systems, conveyors and industrial machinery. The unit controls two phases during normal operation, while the third phase is continuously connected to the load.

Soft starting and soft stopping is achieved by controlling the motor voltage and, during normal running operation (<20A), the semiconductors are bypassed by internal electromechanical relays. Operating parameters are adjusted using a selector switch, push switch and dual potentiometers on the front panel. Soft-starting and stopping characteristics can be programmed with nine customisable (time and shape) voltage ramping profiles offering ramp-up times to 20s, initial torque from 20-50 per cent and ramp-down times up to 10s.

A current-limiting starting option is also available. The built-in, manually adjustable electronic overload can be set for either a Class 10 or Class 20 trip characteristic, and for manual or automatic reset. The RSHL Smart soft-starter can also monitor motors for overheating (via a PTC input), phase loss, sequence and imbalance. As well as motor monitoring, the RSHL also monitors itself for overheating and internal failures.

Eight LEDs on the front panel indicate the device status and alarms. In addition, there is an end-of-ramp auxiliary relay, alarm auxiliary relay, and over-temperature protection. All members of the RSHL family carry CE and RoHS marks, are cUL-approved and rated to IP20 against dust and water ingress.

Datwyler Systems Keep Motorway Tunnels Safe

Several hundred kilometres of safety cable, as well as system components made by Datwyler Cables, have been installed in the five motorway tunnels of the West Bypass at Zurich. The safety cables, with extended insulation and functional integrity (FE 180/E30-E60) contribute to the reliable function of the aeration, ventilation, signalling and lighting.

Since 2007, Datwyler Cables delivered copper and fibre-optics cables, as well as the corresponding components, to several working committees and manufacturers of circuits in the frame of the construction. The pre-tested systems made by Datwyler Cables fulfil the European guidelines and guarantee high system availability, even in case of a fire.

Adept Adds Expansion Module To USB DAQ Range

Adept Scientific has added the AI-Exp32 to the USB-2416XX family of USB-based data acquisition devices from Measurement Computing. The AI-Exp32 is an expansion module that will double the analogue input channels to 16 differential or 32 single-ended inputs when connected to the USB-2416XX.

As such, the AI-Exp32 is the low-cost option to extending data acquisition capabilities as the requirement grows, by simply plugging it into an existing USB-2416XX module. With CJC and open TC detection in the thermocouple mode included, and an additional 16 digital I/O lines provided for a combined total of 24, the AI-Exp32 is ideal for lightweight, compact USB data acquisition.

Pepperl And Fuchs Launches Proximity Sensors

Pepperl And Fuchs has designed a range of sensors for use in industrial and commercial vehicles. The e1 certification defined for mobile equipment specifies an interference immunity of 30V/m, but the sensors from Pepperl and Fuchs are designed to far exceed this at 100V/m.

Additional protection is provided against shock and vibration, and cable strain is increased to prevent damage by any over-enthusiastic installation engineers. These sensors also have an extended operating temperature range and a high IP rating (IP69K), and are resistant to common chemical and corrosive substances such as salt spray (EN60068-2-52).

Synrad CO2 Laser Welds Polyethylene Film

Synrad's sealed CO2 lasers are used in a variety of industrial processes including cutting, welding, drilling and marking. Because CO2 lasers have very consistent output power and the heating process is always non-contact, laser-formed seals will remain consistent over hours of operation. For this particular application, which required sealing 0.05mm-thick polyethylene film, a Synrad 50W laser was used in conjunction with an XY table and a cutting head outfitted with a 63.5mm focal length lens.

This lens typically provides a 0.1mm focused spot size; however, for laser sealing operations, a larger spot size is often preferred. A larger spot size yields lower overall power density and leads to increased melting and less vaporisation of thin films. It also increases the weld line width, providing better weld strength.

For these reasons, the lens was unfocused slightly by increasing the standoff distance to around 5mm between the surface of the film and the tip of the cutting head, to obtain a 0.5mm-wide weld line on the plastic film. The cutting head traversed two layers of the film at a speed of 12.7m/min to produce the final finished seal. The resulting seal is consistent in strength across its entire length.